This article provides an overview to information, guidance and good practice relating to the use of ICT in schools.

Responsibilities
Governors have no specific responsibilities relating to the use or development of the use of ICT in schools either as resources for pupils or as tools for teachers.  However, the Government sees the use of ICT as central to raising standards through supporting teaching and learning.

Roles and actions
Governors would benefit from being aware of ICT in schools in three areas:

• Policy and strategy for the development of the use of ICT in teaching and learning;
• Funding for ICT infrastructure development;
• The teaching of ICT in the curriculum;

Guidance
The principal point of reference for governors is the DCSF ICT in Schools website.  This site gives access to a wide range of information, which can be accessed from the Web Links section below including:

• Access to broadband for schools
  Detailed information on how schools can access broadband
• ICT Independent Procurement Advisory Service
  Information on a pilot scheme to provide schools with independent advice on procurement of ICT
• ICT Private Finance Initiative
  Information on a pilot scheme to fund innovative use of ICT in schools in partnership with the private sector
• ICT Schools Standard Funds Grant and Guidance for 2003-4 and 2004-5
  Information and guidance on the ICT in Schools Grant
• Laptops for Teachers programme
  Information on the Government scheme to fund the provision of laptops for teachers
• Publications
  Access to publications on Government policy
• Statistics on the use of ICT in schools
  Access to statistical releases on the use of ICT in schools (e.g. ratios of pupils to computers in primary and secondary schools)
• Technical Support Advisory Service
  Information on the scheme to provide technical support to schools.

Additional guidance and other resources are available from a range of sources including:

• the BECTA website
  which  provides a range of background resources, including a section of the site dedicated to information and guidance on school management and leadership issues in the context of ICT.  See the link to BECTA in Web Links below.
• the Curriculum Online website
  which focuses on ICT in the curriculum.  See the link to Curriculum Online in Web Links below.
• The DfES undertook consultation on the future of ICT in Schools.  See the link in Background Reading below to Technology can revolutionise education for all.
• the GovernorNet article on Computer Aided Equipment provides detailed guidance on the procurement of appropriate equipment for use in Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing.  See the link in Background Reading below.